Ear Infections in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Your dog is constantly scratching their ears, shaking their head, and their ears smell terrible - these are classic signs of an ear infection, one of the most common reasons dogs visit the vet. Here's how to recognize ear infections, what treatment involves, and how to prevent chronic ear problems.

What Are Ear Infections in Dogs?

Canine ear infections, medically known as otitis, occur when the ear canal becomes inflamed and infected with bacteria or yeast. The dog's L-shaped ear canal traps moisture and debris, creating a warm, dark environment where microorganisms thrive.

Otitis Externa (Most Common - 80%): Infection of the external ear canal. This is what most people mean by "ear infection."

Otitis Media (15%): Middle ear infection. Often follows untreated externa, more serious.

Otitis Interna (5%): Inner ear infection. Can cause balance problems, head tilt, requires aggressive treatment.

Symptoms of Ear Infections in Dogs

Common Causes of Ear Infections

Primary Causes (Start the Problem)

• • Allergies (Most Common): Environmental allergies or food allergies cause inflammation. See Apoquel for allergy treatment
• • Moisture: Swimming, bathing, humid climates trap water in ear canal
• • Ear Mites: Parasites causing dark discharge and intense itching (more common in puppies)
• • Foreign Objects: Grass awns (foxtails), dirt, plant material
• • Anatomical Factors: Narrow ear canals, floppy ears (Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds)
• • Hormonal Issues: Hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease

Secondary Infections (What Grows)

• • Bacterial: Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas (hardest to treat), Proteus
• • Yeast: Malassezia (causes dark, waxy discharge and sweet/musty odor)
• • Mixed: Often both bacteria and yeast together

How Ear Infections Are Diagnosed

Veterinary Examination

• • Otoscope Exam: Looks deep into ear canal, checks eardrum integrity
• • Ear Cytology: Microscopic exam of discharge to identify bacteria vs yeast
• • Ear Culture & Sensitivity: For chronic/resistant infections - identifies specific bacteria and effective antibiotics ($100-200)
• • Allergy Testing: If chronic ear infections, may test for underlying allergies
• • Imaging: X-rays or CT scan for middle/inner ear infections

Treatment for Ear Infections

Ear Cleaning

First step is thorough ear cleaning to remove debris and discharge. May be done at home with prescribed cleaner or professionally at the vet clinic.

• • Vet may do initial deep clean under sedation for painful ears
• • Use only veterinary-approved ear cleaners (Epi-Otic, TrizEDTA)
• • Never use hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, or Q-tips deep in ear

Ear Medications

Treatment Duration:

• • Typical course: 7-14 days of twice-daily ear drops
• • Long-acting options: Osurnia (one application lasts 7 days), Claro (single application lasts 30 days)
• • Chronic cases: May need 3-4 weeks or ongoing maintenance therapy

Oral Medications

For severe or deep infections:

• • Oral antibiotics for middle ear involvement
• • Antifungals (ketoconazole, fluconazole) for systemic yeast
• • Pain medication (gabapentin, Rimadyl)
• • Steroids like prednisone for severe inflammation

Treatment Cost Breakdown (2026)

Chronic/Severe Cases: $300-2,000+ for repeated treatments, imaging, ear canal surgery (TECA-LBO).

How to Give Ear Drops (Step-by-Step)

1. 1. Clean the Ear First: Use prescribed ear cleaner, fill ear canal, massage base of ear for 30 seconds, let dog shake head.
2. 2. Wait 5-10 Minutes: Let ear dry before applying medication.
3. 3. Fill Ear Canal with Medication: Hold ear flap up, squeeze medication into ear canal.
4. 4. Massage Base of Ear: 30-60 seconds to distribute medication deep into canal.
5. 5. Let Dog Shake Head: This helps distribute medication.
6. 6. Wipe Outer Ear: Remove excess with cotton ball (never Q-tip deep in ear).

Recovery Timeline

Days 1-3: Some improvement in comfort, less scratching.

Days 5-7: Significant improvement, reduced discharge and odor.

Days 10-14: Most infections resolved. Recheck exam to confirm.

Chronic Cases: May need ongoing management, allergy control, regular maintenance cleaning.

Prevention Strategies

For All Dogs

• • Dry ears thoroughly after swimming/bathing
• • Regular ear cleaning (weekly for prone breeds)
• • Pluck or trim excess ear hair
• • Use drying agents for swimmers (ear drying solution after water exposure)
• • Regular grooming to keep ears clean

For Chronic Ear Infection Dogs

• • Address underlying allergies with Apoquel, Cytopoint, or allergy shots
• • Food trial for food allergies (8-12 weeks)
• • Maintenance ear cleaning schedule (1-2x weekly)
• • Preventive ear drops (drying/acidifying agents)
• • Manage underlying conditions (hypothyroidism, Cushing's)
• • Consider ear canal surgery for severe anatomical issues

Breeds Most Prone to Ear Infections

• • Cocker Spaniels
• • Labrador Retrievers
• • Golden Retrievers
• • Basset Hounds
• • Poodles
• • Bulldogs (English, French)
• • German Shepherds
• • Springer Spaniels

Why? Floppy ears, narrow ear canals, excessive ear hair, or predisposition to allergies.

Related Reading

• • Apoquel for Dogs – treating underlying allergies that cause chronic ear infections
• • Prednisone for Dogs – steroid treatment for severe ear inflammation
• • Gabapentin for Dogs – pain management for painful ear infections
• • Rimadyl for Dogs – NSAID for pain and inflammation

Frequently Asked Questions